Javier Báez is your new Detroit Tigers shortstop, and let’s just say our feelings about this are complicated. The six-year, $140 million deal should be finalized this evening, as Báez was reportedly in Lakeland today for his physical, the final step to wrapping and signing the contract prior to the 11:59 p.m. EDT deadline on Wednesday night, at which point the owners will institute a lockout.
At BYB we’ve made no secret that we expected the Tigers to land a big-time player at the shortstop position this offseason. The need was painfully obvious. That the Tigers ultimately did almost precisely the minimum here has left everyone excited about the 2022 season, yet still rather lukewarm on both the deal, ownership, and the front office.